It all started with a high school speech assignment.
Pepperdine alumnus John Tiffany released his highly anticipated book this week, which parallels his journey to the fast-paced world of PR with American publicist Eleanor Lambert’s legendary career.
“I was an International Relations and Journalism major,” Tiffany said. His time at Pepperdine doesn’t go unmentioned in his book “Eleanor Lambert: Still Here.” And it was during his college career at Pepperdine when he formed personal connections that would one day open doors he never thought possible.
“I started working out [at Pepperdine], and that’s when I met a girl who became my personal trainer. Her brother had come to visit. He had been living in New York working for Eleanor Lambert,” Tiffany explained.
After graduation, Tiffany decided he wanted to leave the U.S. for more fashionable grounds in Paris, to pursue his sudden career choice as a fashion designer.
And it was one fateful visit from his friend’s brother whom he had met during his time at Pepperdine that changed his future forever. James (the brother) gave him a push in the right direction when he heard of Tiffany’s Parisian aspirations. James informed Tiffany that Eleanor Lambert was searching for a new assistant and had recommended that Tiffany apply for the job.
At first, Tiffany was reticent. With no experience as a publicist or as an assistant, he wasn’t sure he was cut out for the job. But he figured it was worth a shot.
So, he relocated to New York from Washington D.C., scheduled an interview with Eleanor Lambert and got the job.
The rest is history.
One day at work, Tiffany had discovered that the glamorous Eleanor Lambert was much more than a publicist and had created some of the most well-known fashion organizations known today.
“I knew she had created fashion week, and I knew she had created the best dressed list,” Tiffany said.
“I knew she had represented a lot of designers, but she had done all these other incredible things that she never really talked about.
“She was the first person to really make stars out of artists Salvador Dali and Jackson Pollock,” Tiffany said.
And from artists, Lambert gave a try at representing fashion designers.
However, Lambert did much more than just providing representation. She was influential in creating the fashion industry that is crucial to culture today.
In the book, Tiffany reveals that Lambert began one of the most notable American events that show off American genius — New York Fashion Week.
“She was very instrumental in creating the National Council of the Arts with Jackie Kennedy,” Tiffany said. “She was also instrumental in creating the Costume Institute at the Met.
“And also the party of the year,” he continued. “She created the Council of Fashion Design. It was the first time fashion designers could lead themselves and have a decision on how they would run the industry.”
Lambert even invented the idea of the runway, which has become a staple at fashion shows all over the world.
Tiffany described Lambert as larger than life, but that she was always focused on her clients. It wasn’t about moving up in the world, it was about the people she was representing. It was the idea of something fresh and different that would bring about a sense of awe and wonder for the public.
“If she needed attention, she created awards programs or she created a museum,” Tiffany said. “She really believed in artists and believed in people that were talented. And if they didn’t have money to pay her, she would work for them for free.”
“I hope that when people quote the book, they see how passionate she was,” he said. “I’m glad I had a tough boss. I learned from her that I don’t know everything. It doesn’t give us value.”
Tiffany hopes that people not only understand what a publicist does, but also realize the value in self-belief and hard work.
“The one thing I hope people get when they read the book is, first, to know what a publicist is,” Tiffany said. “And number two to see how valuable it is to take your time and hone your craft. And believe in yourself, and never stop. I really feel that so much of what she created is still here.”
John Tiffany’s book “Still Here: Eleanor Lambert” was released Wednesday, Sept. 7. The book will receive a special reception at Lincoln Center at the start of this fall’s New York Fashion Week.
